When we think of childhood summers, we think of balmy nights chasing fireflies, walking barefoot on hot sand, and hours of fun that didn’t cost a thing. Just because we’re adults doesn’t mean we have to drop a ton of money to celebrate our favorite season! There are endless activities you can do this summer, and we’ve rounded up ones that you’ll love when you are feeling lazy, want to bask outside, or are in search of an adventure. The best part is they will barely cost you a thing!
– Additional reporting by Lauren Harano and Tara Block
Related: 185 Upcycling Ideas That Will Turn Your Trash Into Treasures
Unsplash / Dana DeVolk
Cook a new recipe with leftover ingredients you have.
Flickr user jason gessner
Build an outdoor movie theater.
Unsplash / Deniz Altindas
Create a nature scavenger hunt.
Unsplash / Estée Janssens
Unsplash / Andre Furtado
Take photos of your favorite things.
Unsplash / Taelynn Christopher
Unsplash / Federico Respini
Unsplash / Charles Deluvio
Unsplash / Jelleke Vanooteghem
Unsplash / Sincerely Media
Unsplash / Sven
Set up a lemonade stand in your neighborhood.
Unsplash / Zafarullah Islam
Unsplash / Lance Grandahl
Go to the farmers market.
Unsplash / Luca Baggio
Find fun shapes in the clouds.
Unsplash / Brooke Lark
Create cool things with flower DIYs.
Unsplash / Chaz McGregor
Make a slip and slide in your yard.
Pexels / Jennifer Pallian
Unsplash / Sharon McCutcheon
Unsplash / Mack Fox (MusicFox)
Press flowers to make bookmarks.
POPSUGAR Photography / Sarah Lipoff
Make your own insect repellant jars.
Flickr user Jack Pearce
Go to the drive-in movies.
Unsplash / Caroline Attwood
Upcycle your leftover fruits and vegetables.
Unsplash / Emiel Molenaar
Unsplash / Almos Bechtold
Unsplash / Annie Spratt
Make potpourri from seasonal flowers.
Unsplash / anja.
Take a road trip to the nearest beach or lake.
Unsplash / Boriskin Vladislav
Unsplash / Helena Sollie
Do a walking tour of your city.
Unsplash / Kimberly Mears
Unsplash / Michelle Spencer
Unsplash / Shot by Cerqueira
Go stargazing on a warm summer night.
Unsplash / Stephanie McCabe
Unsplash / Cole Keister
Watch the sunset over water.
Unsplash / Celeste Horrocks
Unsplash / Gary Chan
Clean up trash in your community.
Unsplash / Gabe Rodriguez
Unsplash / Ilnur Kalimullin
Paint outdoor landscapes.
Unsplash / Javiera Argandoña
Unsplash / JC Bonassin
Make a wish in a fountain.
Unsplash / Juja Han
Paint your nails a bright summer color.
Unsplash / Krys Alex
Try your hand at sculpting or pottery.
Unsplash / Mike Marquez
Take your dog for a walk.
Unsplash / Rosalind Chang
Start a collection of things from nature.
Unsplash / russn_fckr
Paint things around your house.
Flickr user Carol VanHook
Make fun things with old pool noodles.
Unsplash / Paul Trienekens
Buy ice cream from a truck.
Unsplash / Alessio Lin
Participate in a scavenger hunt.
Unsplash / amirali mirhashemian
Pexels / Breakingpic
Take a walk and listen to a podcast.
Unsplash / Holly Mandarich
Give yourself a day to do fun activities alone.
Unsplash / Dino Reichmuth
Unsplash / Chansereypich Seng
Unsplash / Kristina Balić
Make DIY gifts for friends and family.
Unsplash / Rogue Photo Media
Unsplash / Omar Prestwich
Unsplash / Sincerely Media
Flickr user HomeSpot HQ
Upcycle your paint chips.
Unsplash / Sai Kiran Anagani
Make a summer love playlist.
Unsplash / Aaron Burden
Have a water balloon fight.
Unsplash / Daniela Cuevas
Try out some amazing car hacks.
Unsplash / juan pablo rodriguez
Unsplash / Celeste Horrocks
Make gardener's hand scrub.
Unsplash / Sebastian Coman Travel
Go water skiing or jet skiing.
Unsplash / W A T A R I
Take photographs of nature.
Unsplash / Noah Silliman
Play a game of capture the flag.
Unsplash / Juja Han
Eat a slice of watermelon.
Unsplash / Murat Ustuntas
